The 2024-25 NHL season will begin in Europe on Friday, Oct. 4 in the 2024 NHL Global Series presented by Fastenal at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czechia. Since then, the first games in North America will take place on Oct. 8 in a tripleheader live on ESPN. As the season approaches, what are some bold predictions that could come true this season?
14 of the 16 Playoff teams return in 2025
Although the NHL is known for its unpredictability, there is strong reason to believe that the 2025 Playoffs will feature the same teams as in 2024. Barring a big fall from the top seeds last season, the only teams that might be fighting to make it back. in the playoffs are the Washington Capitals, New York Islanders, and Los Angeles Kings.
The Atlantic Division will likely remain strong, with the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning returning to the playoffs next season. The Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabers could all fight for a Wild Card spot, but given the strength of the team, scoring a victory over the Capitals or Islanders in the Wild Card race will be difficult.
Although the New Jersey Devils are expected to enter the finals after a disappointing result last season, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers are unlikely to play a major role in the Metropolitan Division. All three teams are hoping to make the playoffs, but it seems highly unlikely for the two Pennsylvania teams given their little improvement this offseason.
The Western Conference is a similar story, with almost no team missing the 2024 Playoffs improving this offseason. The Nashville Predators are unlikely to get out of the playoff spot following their busy schedule, the Vegas Golden Knights may go back to winning the 2023 Stanley Cup, and besides the Kings, no other Western Conference Playoff team has been worse this season. .
A team like St. Louis Blues or the Minnesota Wild could come hot and tight in the 2025 Playoffs, but neither team appears to be a serious threat. The Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, and Seattle Kraken are all capable of making the playoffs, but their poor goaltending may keep them from blocking the teams needed to get there. Utah HC will be fighting for a playoff spot in its first season, but given the roster’s lack of experience, earning a playoff spot seems unlikely this season.
Matthews Doesn’t Win Maurice Richard Trophy
It’s really funny to have a bold prediction for an NHL player not to win the award, but that just goes to show how funny scorer Auston Matthews is. The newly appointed Leafs captain scored 69 goals last season and took home the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for the third time in the last four seasons. Currently, most betting websites are not only the betting favorite to take home the prize but they have more than a 50% chance of doing so.
There are many contenders for the NHL scoring lead this season, such as Leon Draisaitl, Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak, Zach Hyman, and Kirill Kaprizov. Matthews may be the favorite, but if someone else gets hot, the trophy could find itself in unfamiliar hands.
McDavid Joins Gretzky and Lemieux in Good Company
As McDavid begins his 10th NHL season, he sits just 18 points away from reaching 1,000 regular season career points. If he can do that in his next 11 games, he will pass Mike Bossy as the third fastest player to reach 1,000 points. Funny enough, McDavid scoring 18 points in 11 games is not a bold prediction.
Related: Comparing Connor McDavid & Connor Bedard’s Rookie Seasons
Currently, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux are the only players in NHL history to score 50+ goals and 100+ assists in a season. Gretzky did it seven times while Lemieux did it in the 1988-89 season, scoring 85 goals and 114 assists. Nikita Kucherov came close last season, scoring 44 goals and 100 assists. With the Oilers coming off a Stanley Cup final loss last season, there’s no reason to believe that McDavid can’t take his game to the next level and add another page to the NHL record book.
Slafkovsky Scored 35+ goals
Juraj Slafkovsky got off to a slow start in his NHL career but broke out last season, scoring 20 goals and 50 points on the Montreal Canadiens’ top line. Although the team is not expected to make the playoffs this season, Slafkovsky, Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield are expected to build on their dominance from last season.
From January 15 to the end of the season, the top line of the Canadiens scored 53 goals in 40 games, 16 of which came from Slafkovsky’s stick. Also, the 20-year-old had 20 assists, 16 of which were firsts, in those 40 games, while playing nearly 19 minutes a night. While he may have had a slow start to the season, scoring just four goals in his first 42 games, his dominant second half has given fans a lot of hope, and for good reason.
With the Canadiens adding Patrik Laine this offseason, in addition to Kirby Dach regaining good health and the prospect of Lane Hutson joining the team full time, the team’s offense will be very strong. Slafkovsky will benefit indirectly, and while a 35+ goal campaign is very ambitious, he is in the realm of possibility. At the very least, he should be on track for a 30+ goal, 60+ point season.
Bedard Pushes Blackhawks Into Playoff Contention
The Blackhawks finished the 2023-24 season with a 23-53-6 record, second worst in the NHL, and 46 games out of the playoffs. Even with the production talent and 2023 Calder Trophy winner, Connor Bedard, the team struggled in the weak Central Division. However, with some key offseason acquisitions, there is hope that Bedard can push the team into the playoff race.
Bedard’s game is driven by his intense hatred of losing. Although he is known for his outstanding performances and highlight reel scores, his commitment to the team always comes first. As he heads into his sophomore season, losing isn’t an option, and with the addition of Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, and others, he could be the 30+ goal, 100+ point player many expect him to be, possibly pulling for the Blackhawks. in the final race.
Although the playoffs are always a deadline, Bedard’s impact may encourage the Blackhawks to hold on to their pending free agents through the 2025 Trade Deadline rather than trading away draft picks and prospects. It’s a bold prediction, but in the open Central Division, there’s no reason to believe Chicago can’t contend for a playoff spot.
5 Rookies Scored 50+ Points
The 2023-24 NHL rookie class was stacked, with Bedard, Luke Hughes, Brock Faber, Adam Fantilli, and Leo Carlsson leading the way. Now, the 2024-25 rookie class could be even better. Led by Matvei Michkov and Macklin Celebrini, the 2025 Calder Trophy race is sure to be filled with future superstars. This class is expected to include Logan Stankoven, Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith, Mavrik Bourque, Lane Hutson, and Nikolai Kovalenko.
Logan Stankoven has an icebreaker of @DallasStars in game 3! 🧊 #StanleyCup
🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT (truTV) & @SportsonMax ➡️ https://t.co/W9mpYG1lMO
🇨🇦: @ Sports or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ pic.twitter.com/YsOH751Hbd— NHL (@NHL) May 12, 2024
Bedard is the only 2023-24 rookie to score north of 50 points, with Hughes and Faber following closely behind with 47 points. The last time an NHL season saw more than one rookie score 50 points was in the 2021-22 season (Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond, Trevor Zegras, and Michael Bunting) and the last time five or more rookies scored 50+ points in a season 2017-18 where seven rookies scored 50+ points (Nico Hischier, Alex DeBrincat, Brock Boeser, Kyle Connor, Yanni Gourde, Clayton Keller, and Mathew Barzal). Before that, the last time this was accomplished was in the 2005-06 season (Marek Svatos, Jussi Jokinen, Brad Boyes, Sidney Crosby, and Alex Ovechkin).
Setting such high expectations for a rookie class is no doubt unfair to youth, but the 2024-25 class can do it. If Michkov can overcome John Tortorella’s tough coaching style, he should earn top-six minutes easily leading to a 50+ point season. Celebrini and Smith will get a lot of opportunities on a weak San Jose Sharks team, the Ducks have given up a lot of assets to Gauthier, so they should have a chance to get plenty of opportunities, and Hutson, Stankoven, and Bourque have shown hope with their limitations. NHL season last season. It’s a lot to ask, but if any draft class can do it, it’s this one.
Shesterkin Scores
There have been only four goals by goaltenders in the NHL since the 2012-13 season, but Igor Shesterkin will change that. The Rangers netminder has come close a few times in his career, and with the Rangers expected to hold more leads late in games this season, he should have plenty of opportunities to light the lamp.
Whether it’s McDavid making history or someone other than Matthews lifting the Maurice Richard Trophy, the 2024-25 season is sure to bring plenty of entertainment. The NHL has never had more talent, and as greats like Crosby and Ovechkin enter their final few seasons, youngsters will be sweeping in to take their places.
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